Questions of Dying

Questions arise about death for those who are honest. Dying is not for the faint of heart; and questions are there, when we are honest, a genuine curiosity about this death we know so little of. Questions like “what will it be like?” and “will I miss my wife and daughter and friends?”

When asked, I confessed I didn’t know for sure, but only hoped and trusted that all would be as good as we can imagine. Surely the love we share here won’t end with death but only continue in some other shape and form. I want to believe what I have always preached, that we are participants in God’s love that comes from eternity and connects us to eternity. That’s what Easter tells us in no uncertain terms. But who of us can really say for sure about the details?

D.H. Lawrence tells the truth in “All Soul’s Day:”

Be careful, then, and be gentle about death. 

For it is hard to die, it is difficult to go through the door, even when it opens …

We can speak of these things with courage when they happen to others. But we must be honest and careful. For it is hard to die; and it is hard to lose those we love who die. So let us be gentle, even with one another … in life … and in death.

May your day be beautiful and light, even while considering these deeper things …

Lenten Lessons for Easter

Romans 4:1-25

We have good news; and we have bad news. Let’s begin with the bad news: We’ve got problems. The Bible is very clear on this point and declares: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Abraham Needs God

Since the Bible uses the word “sin,” let’s focus on that for a moment. In this fourth chapter of Romans, Paul reminds us of Abraham. As the patriarch of our spiritual heritage, he serves as an example of someone who didn’t earn his righteousness. He couldn’t. He had no idea what he was doing. He had no experience with the kind of faith God was evoking in him. Often, even when he followed God’s instructions, he continued to cause problems. He created all kinds of relational messes within his family, and repeatedly placed his wife (and semi-half-sister) Sarah in awkward, even dangerous positions (see Genesis 12:10-20; 16:1-16; 17:1-27; 20:11-18; 21:8-21).

Yet Paul’s example of Abraham is clear: what we need is not so much about us as it is about God. The solution to our problems is less about what can accomplish and more about what must recognize: we cannot do this on our own.

Certainly that became Abraham’s ongoing lesson. Abraham needed God. Gradually taught, slowly freed from his deep inadequacies, with God’s patient assistance Abraham grows up in his faith.

So must we. Here’s how.

Guilt Needs Grace

One of our best definitions of “sin” in the Bible is simply “missing the mark.” Being just a little off center on the target might not be all that bad. But this off-the-mark-ness is less than what God desires for us. Accepting this bad news about me is not a weakness. It just simply is. By acknowledging my incompleteness, my missing the mark, I begin to open my life to a growing strength.

Abraham slowly learned this: how to get un-stuck. Like him, we are freely offered a biblical strategy for liberation. Accepting the truth about my life is not to provoke guilt, but to instill grace. And God’s grace itself becomes highly liberating. Using Abraham as his model, Paul repeats this message throughout Romans.

Wisdom Needs Humility

Usually sly and subtle, sin sometimes becomes even more dangerous in those of us who think we are beyond it. Often believing we are too smart or too sophisticated or too churchgoing to succumb to the vagaries of some ancient concept, we get fooled into thinking we are foolproof.

This, then, becomes a self-fulling prophecy: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). Just when we think we have life figured out; just as we consider ourselves immune from these spiritual downturns, we miss another mark. We sin. We become haughty instead of humble, critical instead of caring, hypocritical instead of real, foolish instead of wise, selfish instead of loving. True biblical wisdom must always be partnered with humility. Otherwise, it cannot be wisdom. For “ALL have sinned …” (Romans 3:23)

Humility Needs Vision

And finally, sometimes we aren’t even aware of how much we are missing, how little we understand, how far we’ve strayed. It’s difficult to know what we don’t know. Too often, our lives drift gradually into unhealthy routines, negative companions, cynical outlooks, and general attitude decay. This can be especially true during a pandemic. How many of us are spending too much time on Netflix? We don’t mean to be hurtful or harmful or neglectful. We might not even be that bad. We just aren’t what we can and should be. We lack a higher vision, we lower our sights, and we stumble instead into the mediocre and miss out on the much better. 

Thankfully, like Abraham, we have equal access to a liberating faith, one that doesn’t stifle or deny, but that grows, sees, evolves and sets us free. Even on those days when, like Abraham, when we aren’t sure what we are doing, or might be clueless about the messes we are making, our baddest news can be still be overcome. Our problems never have the last word. We simply must be aware of this available power and of God’s accessible presence. Our deepest wounds and saddest scars can be healed by the transforming nature of God’s grace. True biblical humility learns to see beyond our less-than-ness ­and envision more clearly a better-than-ness.

Vision Needs Easter

So whether you are weighted down with guilt, or just flitting along unaware of the available goodness slipping past you, we do well to take our bad news seriously. Then, like delicate, emerging blossoms of spring, God’s abundant gift of grace grows within us and around us. This is good news. We, and our world both become more beautiful as a result. And our Lenten journey, envisioning the direction of Easter, becomes all the more necessary – and even more exciting.

With Lenten Hope and Easter Love,

David

In spite of the looming uncertainty we all feel right now: Life goes on. Along with the many needs of our world and God’s countless good creations in it, creation continues.

Let us focus on all that is good and true today. Let us do our best to live into what we know to be most honorable. For we really have no other viable, healthy choice. Following Jesus means living the best we know how in every kind of time, especially in the kinds of time we find ourselves in during this truly strange year of 2020.

Honestly, we have much to accomplish, many who would love to hear from us, some who truly need us, and more than we know who love us dearly and deeply. Opportunities to know and be known still surround us. Life is still exciting. We have so much to read, so much to learn and so many ways to enrich our lives and those around us. So let’s help each other keep on moving, working and growing. I know I need you; and I know we need each other. And if it’s true for us, it is true for many more around us.

Let us not allow each other to give in to discouragement, despair or disparagement of others. That is the easy way out or what Jesus calls the “wide path.” The “narrow way” is harder. It is less traveled and sometimes more treacherous. But it is one that leads to life, truly.  The narrow path lifts up, offers support, works for peace, lives out patience, and continues to stand for justice.

Let us move forward on this journey together, seeking life and goodness, embracing the challenge, and as the Celtic poets, like to say, let us look for “the glory in the grey.” And let’s do it together.

Bless you all and stay in touch!

God of grace and God of glory:
We have understandable hesitations about what might lie ahead in this New Year.
We hear positive indicators; we hope for shared prosperity;
We yearn for unity while we wonder, too
If a common vision for a shared future in our nation is even possible.

And in the meantime …

People are hurting; families are stressed;
Children long to be in school again and parents are so weary;
Hospitals are full; caregivers are exhausted;
Essential workers feel taken for granted
And all of us anxiously await a return to normal.

But even in our anticipations, let us not return only to what was.
Provoke in us instead, O God, with
• The wisdom to be a little better.
• Prod us with just enough discomfort that our souls entice our brains to
o Better service
o Higher stewardship
o Deeper discipleship
o And compassionate grace

For after all, this New Year comes in the thankful aftermath of Christmas.
It therefore offers us this glad reminder:
• That we of all people are the recipients of a most extravagant grace
• We have been and are, the beneficiaries of an indescribably expansive love.

Push us, then, Lord, as we need to be, so that our daily living, at least in some measure, adequately reflects these great gifts you have so abundantly given to every one of us.

Help us remember; lead us to know;
Let us love accordingly,
And therefore live in this New Year … abundantly.

In Jesus’ name and always for his sake, Amen.

Today is Veteran’s Day. Take a moment today and give thanks to the millions of men and women across our nation who have served our country. To spouses and families, also, we can offer a prayer and share our deep gratitude.

I have had the true honor of serving as pastor to countless veteran’s and their families over the years. And what a privilege it has been to hear their stories. Some leaving simple, rural lives to be thrust into the complex world of international travel, new scenery and unimaginable adventures. Many more, though, seeing sights and living horrors they never thought possible, fighting and seeing friends killed before their eyes. Returning home, they could never complete a full night’s sleep without waking in a cold sweat, memories flooding back in a cascade of terror.

Many of these friends and church members never heard the term PTSD; most were never diagnosed. But their families understood that something had happened while they were deployed. Their friends might not have gotten the details, but they saw the tragic change. Thankfully most of these good men and women I’ve been blessed to know returned home to a healthy support system, a family who cared and a church who loved them and welcomed them back.

But there are so many others. Today, some are homeless. Others are self-medicating with alcohol or drugs. Others are coping, but only barely.

So on this Veteran’s Day, take some time and say thanks. If possible, do so in person to a man or woman you know has served our nation. But at a minimum, take a moment to offer a prayer of gratitude; and include a heartfelt petition for those whose support systems have failed them, who are struggling, and who too often are being forgotten. Let’s not forget them today.

Thank a Vet. And say a prayer. That’s the least we can do today.

Love,

David

And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best … (Philippians 1:9-10).

I like the way this scripture is worded: that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight.But as one of my coaches used to say when faced with the impossible: “Good luck with that …” The times we live in right now don’t exactly lend themselves to overflowing love. Knowledge and full insight also feel like they are in very short supply. Thankfully, you and I can do something to bring about positive change.

Imagine yourself growing in wisdom, gaining new insights, adding to your knowledge, expanding your understanding, broadening your perspective. Now consider how you can turn that image into reality. Be bold in learning new things about life and faith. For Paul, and for his perspective in this passage, knowledge and insight serve as essentials in the overflow of love. The bedrock of love remains our living source of all life. And yet, God as the ultimate source, needs us to be intentional about how we live and love. Our Master Creator designed a world that needs you and me to make love real. And that love bubbles over its container when the conditions are right.

Love is better, and the overflow is possible, when we work at fulfilling God’s hopes for us all: to learn, to grow, to deepen our faith and to broaden our understanding. To do so allows our love to merge with God’s intentions. Our brains work best when stimulated most; our spirits reflect God’s spirit when we care for others and for our world. Our bodies remain most healthy when we are in positive, healthy, loving relationships.

This love does not start with me or with you. Love always originates with God. For God is love (John 4:8), which makes this whole concept all the more powerful and mysterious. To know that I can be a channel of God’s blessings and a source for God’s healing never ceases to blow my mind. This kind of love that overflows more and more with knowledge and insight is this kind of love that will help you to determine what is best for you, for your family, for your community, for our nation, and for us all. May it be so today, and in the crucial coming days in the life of our nation and the world. Amen.

QUOTES FOR THE DAY:

“When you know better, you do better.”

—Maya Angelou

“Wisdom is better than weapons of war…”

—Ecclesiastes 9:18

No one should be surprised. These divisive times we currently endure remain strikingly similar to this nation’s very beginnings. Yes, the current administration continues to break norms and in now predictably unpredictable fashion. It provokes distain, sows discord, stokes anger, and intentionally creates division. Yet we all bear significant responsibility for these divisions and for this high degree of angst. We also have some hope from our past.

The founders of this republic planned for, and even participated similar discordant behavior. The troubled relationship between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson serves as a case in point.

John Adams

Adams, this common man of Puritan, New England Yankee heritage, remained keenly aware of his insufficiencies. Yet his passion for learning and his contagiously eager desire to exceed expectations propelled him in the very best directions of patriotism. He embodied a life-long commitment to the common good.He believed in and worked for a nation he imagined rising with efficient, professional government, public education, freedom of religion (including for Jewish immigrants), civil engagement and civic opportunities for as many as possible, and a strong navy to protect the coast. All this was to be funded by appropriate and equitably levied taxes.

Thomas Jefferson

And then there was Jefferson. Aristocratic, multilingual, exceptionally talented, calm, controversial and hypocritical, he sadly embodied the many tense contradictions still rending our current social fabric. Committed to life-long learning, visionary and expansive in his hopes for this nation, skilled in the art of diplomacy, intellectually curious, an early and ardent advocate for the separation of church and state, he remains perhaps the most influential politician ever to hold sway in our nation’s capital.

Unlike Adams, Jefferson could never bring himself to condemn slavery. He knew it was wrong. But it was not because he thought the Africans he enslaved were his equal. He did not. He likely saw his investment in human capital as a losing proposition for the long run.

In other words, he knew slavery was an albatross, a great, weighty guilt infecting the psyche of the young nation. Yet again, unlike Adams, he could never bring himself to work for its abolition. Instead, tragically, he never emancipated the people he enslaved. Not even Sally Hemmings, likely the mother of at least four of his children.

For Jefferson, knowing the wrong of something so interwoven into his lifestyle made curtailing it highly inconvenient. Slavery served as the very basis for his plantation economy. His many interests, skills and daily tasks were facilitated by free labor. He bought the best books (which became the foundation for our current Library of Congress), collected the finest wine, cultivated the most interesting exotic plants, played the violin, experimented with architectural designs, collected the finest art and could converse in six languages (English, French, Spanish, Italian, Greek, and Latin). He ranks highly as a Renaissance man. Except we now realize this: a virtual army of workers facilitated his every move and catered to his every whim.

Our nation’s structural demons continue to haunt much of our public and private interactions because we have benefitted widely and unjustly from a tragic inheritance. Much of our nation’s early infrastructure was constructed on the backs of unpaid labor. Like Jefferson, curtailing the economic benefits associated with either free labor or today’s low paying jobs for migrant workers, or unsafe plant or factory jobs appears economically self-defeating. While it feels like the right thing to do morally and ethically, the pull of our pocketbooks too often overwhelms the better angels of our nature. Such was Jefferson’s dilemma.

So when our current president lambasts any effort to remind our nation and to teach our children that we are not perfect, he is not the first. And while we do indeed have so much to be thankful for, our history is also sadly replete with bigotry, racism, sexism and tragic spasms of violence against those deemed insufficiently American.

With Jefferson, we continue to struggle with the long shadows of structural and systemic racism. We cannot seem to fully admit to or redemptively work through these historic tragedies.

And yet, thankfully, we also have the legacies of those like John Adams, who adamantly attempted to strive for a higher moral ground, and to call upon his country to do likewise. He and many other women and men like him recognize the considerable, even incalculable gifts this land offers. Adams simultaneously provided the courageous, necessary critique of his own behavior and the behavior of his contemporaries. Our current time requires the same honesty. A confessional perspective is vital. A brave determination to address our historical insufficiencies is essential. Mending our torn and tattered social fabric is necessary. And finding respect for those we are tempted to despise is imperative.

Through their shared letters, we have ample evidence that Adams and Jefferson, harshly opposed to one another in their middle years, grew into intimate and consoling friends as they aged. Adams remained disappointed that Jefferson could never fully condemn the institution of slavery. But he grew to love the man. And that love was fully reciprocated. Let us work and  pray for a similar grace.

But Moses fled from Pharaoh.  He settled in the land of Midian, and sat down by a well… After a long time the king of Egypt died (Exodus 2:15; 23).

Out to Pasture

Have you ever felt like time had passed you by? I’m reminded of what we used to do with horses no longer of use in east Tennessee where I grew up.  If they were too old, too stubborn, or too dumb, we simply “put them out to pasture.”  It is all too easy for us to feel like it’s time to be put out to pasture—to feel no longer necessary, to be unneeded.

This is likely how Moses felt when he found himself a refugee in Midian.  In the sparse details of Exodus 2:15-25, he is sitting by a well, surrounded by the seven daughters of Jethro, a local preacher.  If Moses had been lonely when he arrived, we can assume he was likely feeling a little less so at this point.

And, as often happens in the Bible, a community well where the locals draw water also serves as the town hangout for single people.  Thus, the shift in Moses’ marital status happens quickly.  From the seven daughters, Moses chooses Zipporah. They marry quickly, and, by the next verse, they have a baby.

Apparently, Moses’ new neighborhood had few other distractions, so he got down to the business of family, farming, and raising sheep. The details here are sparse, but we can assume his existence was simple, somewhat content—and highly insignificant.

We get a taste of Moses’ feelings about his life from an unexpected source—what he names his son.

…he named him Gershom; for he said, “I have been an alien residing in a foreign land”(Exodus 2:22).

Transitions Today

Life has a way of creeping up on us.  One day, we are surrounded by action and feel good about our circumstances.  Then, too soon, we’re done, out to pasture.  Or we find ourselves in the midst of a pandemic, struggling with racial injustice, worried about economic instability, aware of the vagaries of climate change and increasing weather instability. Change happens; events unfold. Circumstances create new tensions and add unpredictability. And so it was for Moses.

The Calling

He led a quiet life while the Hebrews continued to suffer in bondage.  The occurrences during those years are sparingly told.  But the timethat passes is significant.  We would do well to take notice: “After a long timethe king of Egypt died…” (Exodus 2:23).  Moses seemed of little consequence to the world beyond the desert wilderness that had become his home. Yet unknown to him, a transition was underway. And God needed him, what he had to offer and how his life could come to the aid of his people who needed everything Moses had offer. God’s call to Moses from the burning bush, that fire that could not be put out and that bush that would not burn up, stands as a transition point in all of our stories.

What About You?

What might God be doing in your life? What changes might be occurring around you that you are needed for? What sort of calling might be happening in your heart and spirit? Could it be that your life, much like Moses’ background, has within it the very training, skills and history so necessary to meet the present needs?

Moses couldn’t believe it. He tried to talk God out of it He couldn’t imagine that his quiet, simple life could ever make a difference. What about you?

It was the fall of 1988. I was a young minister in Washington, D.C. We had just started a program for Congressional Staffers called “Lunch on Capitol Hill” at the Library of Congress Cafeteria. A member of my congregation suggested that we invite a recently elected member of Congress from Georgia named John Lewis. “He marched with Dr. King” he said. He’s kind, humble, generous with his time, and he might be willing to speak to us. So John Lewis, hero of Civil Rights, a legend of hope and unity in our country for the coming decades, spoke to our little group. We had maybe twenty-five people there. But he spoke with passion and humility, kindness and sincerity. He was realistic about the difficulties, but steadfast in pursuing the necessary justice he would tirelessly work for. I had no budget to pay him. We bought his lunch. Yet his gentle spirit conveyed no hint of frustration. Only grace, love, hope and faithfulness to a cause he was giving his life to. May his example continue to teach us well for these trying days. And may the humble yet determined spirit of the Honorable John Lewis continue to inspire us, and to change us into what we must become. Amen.

If C.S. Lewis were still alive, I can imagine a creative update from his 1942 version of Screwtape Letters.  In Lewis’ depiction of the subtle battle between good and evil, Screwtape, is a more senior devil who had to teach his young apprentice, Wormword.Ambiguity, lukewarm passions, increasing self-interest, subtle mistrust … these were just a few of the necessary tools for a devil-in-training to use against his struggling Christian subjects. That was then. But now?

The Setting: Zoom in to a twenty-first century America, a country struggling with converging streams of discontent and divisiveness. Wormwood has learned his lessons well. He also reaches beyond his teacher’s expectations and has greatly expanded his influence. Over these few decades, this previously inexperienced apprentice now experiments with new techniques. Instead of Screwtape’s recommended lukewarm moderation, Wormwood sows anger, confusion, mistrust, divisiveness, and incompetence in the highest levels of leadership. He’s also in the process of leveraging a pandemic.

The Strategy: Moving to the devil Screwtape’s own reflections, let’s listen in to what C.S. Lewis might have written.

Undermine the faith: “Wormwood, things are progressing nicely. You’ve had fun with the name of this virus. You remembered those Christians love to show their savior with a crown, that ever happy symbol of victory and power. Yet you’ve inspired them to call the virus by a ridiculously ironic name, a name that likely will erode the symbol of their savior. The ‘crown virus’ is such a perfectly descriptive and sadistically confusing name. You’ve dropped clues, but carefully. You’ve hidden the meaning slightly. Crown in Spanish is corona.You’ve inspired them to use that exotic sounding but equally subversive name: Corona Virus. Yes, that’s a good start.” Grade: A

Manipulate the leadership:“We’ve had surprising success moving through this American political system. Using a malleable, manipulative, brash and not so intelligent leader has taken years to cultivate. But we’ve gotten the perfect candidate in place. And Wormwood, you’ve done well continuing to feed his insatiable ego with craven people pining for power. They’ve forfeited whatever meager morals they might have possessed. Selfishness and blind self-seeking can always be used to our distinct advantage. And oh the confusion of mixed messages. What brilliance. To know this leader has no real belief system, nothing he really cares about but himself, incapable of empathy or compassion for the people he represents – It’s brilliant, truly. Chaos at the top creates chaos all the way down. Instability, insecurity, lack of clarity, inconsistency, incompetence disguised as genius … Wormword, these are primary tools for our success today, and you are utilizing them to perfection. And for those left in this devilishly accessible administration (and I use this phrase so fondly!), achieving high rank is one thing. But maintaining power regardless of the cost works beautifully for our purposes. Those left to continue currying favor with this leader are the textbook tools for our continued triumphs. Grade: A

Offer a Few Clues: “Now, for a few more subtleties, clues are always a nice touch. For example, I love the way you’ve provided the address of Jared Kushner’s Manhattan property: 666 Fifth Avenue. This is the son-in-law and chief advisor to the president! I can’t help but chuckle every time I think for the countless sermons conservative, evangelical pastors have preached on the antichrist, have referred to the “sign of the beast” as 666, have talked openly about additional signs like the coming of a slick, camouflaged infiltrator, pretending to be one of them, using their religious language, letting them pray for him, support him, fawn over him, increase his power and assuage his ego … I never dreamed, Wormwood, that you would so cleverly use these pious preachers and their followers as the foundation for our success. Incredible.

I’m also pleasantly surprised how little thought these religious people have given to our infiltration during this series of crises. We know if any of these issues had arisen during the previous administration, pandemic, economic collapse, 666 Fifth Avenue address, the name of the virus … any of these would have aroused undue suspicion of our work. But the fact that you’ve been able to utilize a glib but cruel, egotistical, conservative pretender has been a coup.” Grade: A

Speaking of egos and coups:

Leverage International Intrigue:“I also never expected such complete acquiescence of this American leader to the whims and dictates of the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin. These poor Americans are so befuddled as to why their president is such putty in Putin’s hands. So am I, frankly, Wormwood. I love that you still haven’t shared with me what it is Putin has on this president. I see your wry smile. Okay, I look forward to learning your secret along with the rest of world, hopefully before too long.” Grade: A

Encourage Racial Discontent: “And this whole racial thing: I’ll be honest, Wormwood. When their previous president was elected, I really thought the racial tension in America was on the wane. But the spike in hate groups has been so refreshing. Those hotbeds of hatred really gave us the best openings we’ve had in years. So this president’s continued references to racial symbols, monuments and color comparisons all fit in well with our overall strategy. But I’ll be honest. Subtlety is best. Quiet symbols. Dog whistles and symbolic language like Q Anonuses (another one of your ingenious plants!): these are generally more effective. I’m a little afraid this president is getting off message; his ego and anger are giving away a little too much of our agenda.” Grade: B+

“Still, I never imagined, Wormwood, our efforts would be so successful. But here we are. Total chaos. Mass confusion. No national strategy. Manipulating statistics to be self-serving. Total focus on reelection; unconcern about national health or well-being. Sidelining scientists who refuse to speak the party line; governors suing mayors about mandating masks; a clueless pawn perceived as strong and a stable genius; pious, conservative, praying people viewing this president as ordained by our Enemy on the other side. Amazing. Thank you Wormwood. Your work has been excellent, far more successful than I could have imagined. Well done.” Grade: A